Whilst regretting that the details and explanations provided by the Centre relating to the use of the funds foreseen in the Workplan for 1997 were insufficient, the delegates questioned the structure of the budget and the allocation of funds. Thus, the following decisions were taken:

a) the budget for 1997 is increased to US$ 3.5 million instead of US$ 3.3 million originally foreseen;b) the funds allocated for the twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations of the Convention (US$ 40,000 in Chapter I and US$ 100,000 in Chapter V) are allocated for other purposes, of which an amount of US$ 120,000 for the Evaluation of the Administrative Management of the World Heritage Centre, placed in Chapter I);c) increasing Chapter 11 to respond to demands of the advisory bodies and a new item inserted "Other bodies and individuals";d) increasing preparatory assistance and training in Chapter III;e) increasing funds foreseen to support States Parties in monitoring and reporting, in Chapter IV;|f) Chapter V remains at the same level as in 1996, with the elimination of the item on the twenty-fifth anniversary and the strengthening of educational activities.

The budget below was approved unanimously.

WORLD HERITAGE FUND - SYNOPTIC OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET(expressed in US$)

Approved1994

Approved1995

Approved1996

Approved1997

Approved1998

Chapter IOverall functioning of the World Heritage Convention

Attendance of experts in statutory World Heritage Meetings

40,000

40,000

80,000

80,000

80,000

Support to the World Heritage Secretariat

280,000

360,000

360,000

0

0

Overall Management and financial review of the Administration of the World Heritage Convention

120,000

0

SUB TOTAL

320,000

400,000

440,000

200,000

80,000

Chapter IIEstablishment of the World Heritage List

Global Strategy

40,000

70,000

70,000

100,000

70,000

Advisory Services:

ICOMOS

310,000

350,000

IUCN (including for 1997 WCMC - US$ 27,000)

212,000

247,000

Other bodies and individuals

35,000

Total Advisory services

520,000

522,000

522,000

632,000

602,000

SUB TOTAL

560,000

592,000

592,000

732,000

672,000

Chapter IIITechnical implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Preparatory assistance

150,000

150,000

175,000

300,000

240,000

Technical cooperation

790,000

750,000

685,000

900,000*

900,000

Training

440,000

452,000

550,000

745,000**

690,000

SUB TOTAL

1,380,000

1,352,000

1,410,000

1,945,000

1,830,000

Chapter IVMonitoring and reporting on the state of conservat5ion of World Heritage sites

Reactive monitoring (1997 includes US$ 40,000 for IUCN)

85,000

68,000

60,000

80,000

80,000

Support to the States Parties for monitoring and reporting

Methodological development

80,000

50,000

0

0

0

Latin America & the Caribbean

65,000

50,000

40,000

48,000

40,000

Africa

55,000

50,000

50,000

67,000

50,000

Arab States & the Mediterranean

40,000

30,000

38,000

46,000

38,000

Asia & the Pacific

55,000

60,000

42,000

49,000

42,000

Europe

0

0

30,000

35,000

30,000

Total support to States Parties

295,000

240,000

200,000

245,000

200,000

SUB TOTAL

380,000

308,000

260,000

325,000

280,000

Chapter VWorld Heritage Documentation, Information and Education

Documentation

0

55,000

Information Materials

199,000

132,000

Internet and WHIN

55,000

44,000

Education

44,000

65,000

Media Co-Production

0

2,000

SUB TOTAL

270,000

268,000

298,000

298,000

308,000

Balance ***

430,000

TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET WORLD HERITAGE FUND

2,910,000

2,920,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

3,600,000

Chapter VIEmergency Reserve Fund

1,000,000

500,000

500,000

* Of which ICCROM US$ 25,000;** Of which IUCN US$ 27,000 and ICCROM US$ 150,000*** This balance will be distributed among Chapters of the 1998 budget according to the needs and will be reflected in the submission to the Committee at its 21st session.

In conclusion, the Conunittee thanked the Secretariat for the efforts undertaken to improve the presentation and to respond to the questions raised. It finally requested the Secretariat to provide the future workplans in a document comprising: a plan of action, the statement of accounts and forecasts, the needs in resources.